Clark Atlanta University Set to Welcome 2015 Class of Mandela Washington Fellowship's Young African Leaders

Posted on Thursday, June 11, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA (June 10, 2015)—Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is set to welcome 25 business professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa June 19, marking its second year as a host institution for President Barack Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in Business and Entrepreneurship. The Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is supported in its implementation by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally.

“We are extremely proud to once again welcome these distinguished leaders to Clark Atlanta University,” CAU President Carlton E. Brown said. “Our participation in YALI represents our appreciation for the development of seamless, strategic global partnerships, as well as our understanding of the importance of bridge-building to ensure that the innovations and solutions that develop as a result of these partnerships are appropriately implemented to foster the greatest socioeconomic impact, from public health to entrepreneurial start-ups.”

Clark Atlanta University Economics Professor Mesfin Bezuneh, Ph.D., runs the YALI program for the University. “The 25 leaders who will come to CAU on June 19 are part of a delegation of 500 fellows who will spend their six-week sessions at other universities around the U.S.,” he said. “We are extremely grateful to this year’s sponsors, UPS, The Coca-Cola Company, IBM, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, The Allen Institute and Ernst and Young, for their generous support of our efforts. While CAU’s fellows will focus on business and entrepreneurship, others universities’ programs will focus either on public management or civic leadership. The nationwide program culminates with a visit to the White House in August.”

Other U.S. host universities include: Arizona State University, Dartmouth College, Georgia State University, Howard University, Northwestern University, University of Virginia/College of William and Mary, The University of California-Berkeley, University of Delaware, University of Minnesota, The University of Nevada-Reno, University of Notre Dame, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Wisconsin-Stout, Virginia Commonwealth University and Wagner College.